Do all babies have an antisocial phase?

[grumpycatgrumpycat]

Or is mine just grumpy? Up until about six weeks ago (she’s now 6 months) she would smile and giggle at anyone - loved the attention and being held by others. She was never clingy - in fact was and still is very independent, e.g. not a fan of cuddles/being still, won’t sleep on people.

Then, overnight she changed. Now she screams hysterically if anyone apart from her dad and I hold her, and won’t smile or interact with anyone else when in her buggy etc. For example, today we were at a chilled BBQ with friends - about 6 couples and a few assorted children. All people she sees every couple of weeks, yet today she got so wound up my OH had to walk her buggy round and round the village to calm her down, then she started again the moment one of the children walked past the buggy and smiled at her.

This now extends to family she sees frequently, including my dad whom she sees daily and my MIL who she sees weekly and previously adored; she’s stayed overnight at the in laws before with no issue, and MIL will be providing four days a week childcare when I go back to work in July.

Is this a normal phase? If so, any tips on how long it lasts? Is she just going to scream and scream until she’s sick each day I drop her off at the in-laws when I return to work? She’ll be doing nursery one day a week too - will they have to call me to come and collect her?

Any experiences welcome please!

[Rosebud1302]

My boy is 9 months now and went through a really rough phase of this too. Would burst into full on tears if anyone looked at him or touched him. This was adults and babies. He would be inconsolable if another baby made any sort of noise around him. Would not let anyone hold him except me or DP. He is still a sensitive boy but so so so much better than he was. He still gets like it if teething or ill which is to be expected but I thought he would be like it forever. So there is hope. I think around this time they start to realise mummy and daddy can effectively walk away and leave them which makes them incredibly clingy and needy for you.

[user1493413286]

I remember that vividly and everyone would say “ah she just wants her mum” while I’d be thinking “I just need to get stuff done or have 2 minutes to my self”. It passed after a few weeks though

[jollyohh]

Totally normal and she just going through the attachment phase. Separation anxiety can totally do your head in but it's an important part of development. Babies begin to show a major preference to one main care giver at around 6 months. It will settle down but for now she might just want you. Just go with it, build her trust and she'll be fine.

[Samind]

Separation anxiety and it affects everything from napping to leaving a room. It is very tiring but a massive compliment too.

Hang in there!💐

[GreatestShowUnicorn]

Sounds like separation anxiety.
Also I know you didn't ask but I'd try and to two days at nursery for her to settle (or even better her full day plus two half days), 6 days awAy from nursery at that age will make it seem like a new thing every week. You can always drop to one day once she's older.

[JoJoSM2]

What jollyohh says. My LO's phase wasn't too bad but some friends had it pretty tough with babies being very clingy and crying at the sight of many people.

[Blondebakingmumma]

She may be going through a developmental leap and babies can become more fussy during this time. Google the wonder weeks. It should give you a rough guide of when babies go through developmental leaps and what they are developing

[Pinkvoid]

Separation anxiety ramps up at this age because they are beginning to realise you are a separate entity but don’t yet realise that you’re not disappearing forever just because you’re out of sight.

[grumpycatgrumpycat]

Thanks all. She surpassed herself today when we went for a walk and lunch with the in laws; kept giving them the stink eye lest they try and touch her, so as a result didn’t nap and was hysterical by lunchtime. Calmed her down for a sleep, then made herself sick with crying when I asked MIL to start changing her nappy on the back seat while I wrestled the buggy into the car.

We have a very close friend’s big birthday coming up weekend after next so she’ll have to go the in laws overnight (she’s done this previously with no issue) so I literally have no idea what to do about this anxiety business then 😩